FY2013 Nooksack Priority Project Implementation

The project partially funded construction of engineered log jams in priority reaches of the North Fork and South Fork Nooksack Rivers. Most of the funding for these projects was provided through the Washington State Salmon Recovery Funding Board (SRFB), which requires at least 15% local match. This project helped contribute the required local match as described below, along with explanation of how PCSRF metrics are being reported. The Tribe, RCO, and NWIFC had dialogue to ensure no duplication in metric reporting. Specific projects included:
• NF Farmhouse Reach (RM 46.8-49.4) Phase 1 restoration project, which constructed 27 log jams and treated 0.4 miles in summer 2014. The project was funded with RCO #13-1276C, and this PCSRF project provided a portion of the 37% project match. No RCO PCSRF funding was allocated (only RCO PSAR), and $16,729 NWIFC PCSRF was spent; however, RCO is reporting 85% of metrics to PCSRF as programmatic match, so this project is reporting 15% of implementation metrics, or 10 log jams and 0.15 miles treated.
• SF Downstream of Hutchinson Reach (RM 9.6-9.95) Phase 2-2A restoration projects, which constructed 10 engineered log jams and removed 120 feet of riprap in summer 2014 (Phase 2) and constructed 8 engineered log jams in summer 2015 (Phase 2A). These projects were initially captured in two worksites, but they have since been combined into one worksite, since all treatment metrics for Phase 2 metrics were reported through RCO #11-1539 (which also funded Phase 1 restoration in 2012), and 85% of Phase 2A metrics were reported through RCO #14-1659, so this project is reporting 1 of 8 log jams and 0.01 of 0.1 miles treated (Phase 2A), and $19,335 spent (Phases 2-2A).

The goal of the project is to address the habitat factors most limiting the North Fork/Middle Fork Nooksack early Chinook population (channel instability, loss of stable side channels for spawning and rearing) and/or South Fork Nooksack early chinook populations (low habitat diversity, lack of deep pools with cover, and high summer water temperatures), thereby increasing population abundance and productivity. Restoration is designed to increase habitat diversity and encourage formation and growth of large forested islands with associated side channels (North Fork), or create holding pools with complex cover and temperature refuge (South Fork). Other salmonids that use the reach will also benefit, including ESA-listed bull trout and steelhead, as well as coho, chum, pink, and sockeye salmon and cutthroat trout.